Updated September 2026
Having a dog in your life often means having a front-row seat to some adorable, hilarious, and peculiar behaviors.
But what about some of the not-so-cute ones?
Here are a few common behaviors that might ring a bell for your bestie, plus a few ideas for what pet parents can do about them. Let's get into it.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Chewing My Stuff?
Your good work shoes. Your favorite socks. Your couch. Your pillows. Your walls. All of those things, and more, are fair game for a pup with an affinity for chewing.
Understanding dog chewing behavior starts with the same question every time: is this a puppy, or a bored, stressed adult dog? Both are common challenges for pet parents, but the fix looks a little different for each. So, what gives?
When puppies start growing their chompers, their sore gums sometimes need soothing, and chewing is just the thing. Give your pup some pup-friendly chew toys that can't be swallowed or broken apart with enough force, and move your belongings out of reach until they learn what's actually theirs to chew.
Dealing with a full-grown chewer? Your dog may not have enough to do, or they may not be able to stay relaxed, so chewing becomes their way of finding relief. Make sure they're getting plenty of physical and mental stimulation each day, and keep safe chew toys within reach. Treat-release ball toys are another fun way to give your pup a project to focus on instead of your furniture.
If chewing seems tied to stress rather than boredom or teething, it's worth looking at your dog's overall routine and stress levels rather than the chewing alone. Our guide on helping your dog adjust to a new routine walks through a practical plan for exactly that.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Scooting?
Why do dogs scoot? When your dog lifts both back paws and scoots their cute little butt across the floor, it may actually mean they need your help.
If it only happens once in a while, this comical butt crawl may be nothing more than a harmless itch. But if you're noticing it regularly, it could be a sign of a larger issue. Start by finding a gentle way to lift up their tail and check for signs of irritation. If anything looks off, have your vet take a look.
One thing your vet will check is their anal sacs, the two small glands on either side of the anus. These glands normally fill with fluid that empties when your dog poops, which makes elimination easier and helps your dog leave behind a distinctive marker for other dogs to find. If those ducts get clogged or impacted, the glands get uncomfortably full, and that's when you'll find your dog scooting across the floor trying to make their bottom feel better.
Besides helping keep things neat and tidy back there, and making sure your dog is getting a balanced diet, it's worth considering a supplement that may help support gut health and normal bowel movement. Our Probiotic Bites are formulated to help support digestive balance as part of a daily routine, which may make elimination more comfortable overall. For a deeper look at how gut health connects to your dog's everyday comfort, our Dog Probiotics 101 guide covers the basics.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Poop?
Why do dogs eat poop? As a pet parent, you've probably seen it, smelled it, or cleaned it up, but you still may want to set down your snack while we cover this next topic.
The clinical name is coprophagia, which is just a fancy way of saying your dog eats poop. Their own, another dog's, it doesn't seem to matter much. No one loves discussing stool eating, but it's not because it's rare. Many dogs have attempted it at least once, some are just more drawn to it than others.
Sometimes it's instinctual. Mother dogs clean their pups thoroughly, and not with a washcloth, so puppies pick up the habit early and don't always grow out of it. Other times, a dog may not be digesting their food well enough, which draws them back to their own stool (or another dog's) for reasons that still feel food-related to them.
This is where a veterinarian can help identify the root cause. It's also a good opportunity to try a supplement made to help. Our Chew No Poo Bites use Capsimax, a controlled-release form of capsicum extract, which may help give stool a more unpleasant taste, while also helping support periodontal and gut health.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Getting the Zoomies?
Dog zoomies might start with a bath, or one of those cute play bows they do right before being silly. Sometimes just opening a crate or a door is enough to trigger a sudden, wild burst of energy, officially called a Frenetic Random Activity Period, but better known as the zoomies.
Usually lasting no more than a minute or two, zoomies are a normal release of pent-up energy. If your dog hasn't had a chance to burn off steam in a while, they're off to the races. On their own, zoomies aren't dangerous, but make sure they happen somewhere safe, away from stairs, heights, slick floors, and roads. It's best not to chase a zooming dog either; try calling them back with a treat or toy, or take them to a local dog park to let loose safely.
If you're noticing more frequent bouts, it's worth checking in with your vet to see if hyperactivity could be at play. Building a steadier daily rhythm can also help, and if your dog has a hard time settling even with enough exercise, our Calming Bites may be worth discussing with your veterinarian as part of a broader calming plan. Our guide on how to stop your dog from barking also digs into building that kind of calmer daily rhythm, and a lot of it applies here too.
Every Bestie Has Their Quirks
None of these behaviors make your dog any less of a good boy or girl, they're just part of being a dog. Understanding what's behind them is the first step to helping your pup feel more comfortable, and helping your home stay a little more intact along the way.
Ready to help your pup settle into calmer, more comfortable habits? Explore Zesty Paws' Behavior Support and Gut Health collections, or take the quiz to find an option that fits your dog.
